A memory

Twenty five past six in the evening. . .

  The capital was still energetic as the commoners were enjoying the festival. There were children running in the streets, families spending their time together and playing family games, shopkeepers persuading passersby to get themselves some of the delicious food they have, and merchants trying to sell their goods.

   From the small window of a passing carriage, David looked out at the couples enjoying their time while watching the fireworks in a romantic atmosphere. A somehow sad but soft smile crept on his face while reminiscing one of the most beautiful memories he had in his entire life.

  It was the spring festival, an event held in the twenty first day of Magres_ the third month of the year_ in the southern parts of the Jazar Empire.  Something the twelve years old David had never been to before.

  He was wearing a black shirt and trousers, sitting on a chair facing the window of his room, waiting. He was sitting there for some hours now and it was near midnight. His sensitive ears perked up when he heard some shuffling from behind and he snapped his head to find a little girl standing by the locked door. His features relaxed at the sight of her and he said in a calm, cold voice "Late."

  "I know. I came as soon as I finished my training, and this tower's long stairs didn't help either, sorry." The little girl replied while straightening her tunic and cloak. Before she knew the boy was already in front of her cupping her face in both his hands, turning it right and left.

"D Devy? W What are you doing?" she stuttered a question.

"Inspect." He replied curtly then moved down and lifted her arms up and down.

"I I'm al alright! D Don't worry I'm not hurt anywhere." She said with red cheeks. She was used to hugging him and sleeping next to him but now she was really embarrassed for some reason. The boy continued what he called 'inspection' and put his hands on her sides, searching for any possible injuries.

Well, the boy can't be blamed. Whenever Elisabeth returned back from training, she would come full of bruises and injuries. Sometimes, she even got sick because of the 'health session' as she told him before. Sensing his hands going to her abdomen, Elisabeth couldn't bear it anymore.

 "David! Enough!" she yelled, frustrated at his actions. For David, her voice went several octaves higher thanks to his sensitive ears, making him freeze.

  "Go back to your chair." She ordered and he obliged. She stood not too far from him and said: "Do not, ever, touch a lady without her permission, do you understand?"

David wanted to express how he didn't understand why he can't touch her and make sure she was okay. She did the same thing to him just a week ago, so why can't he check on her? He was confused, but he couldn't voice his thought because of his lack of vocabulary and talking skills. And so, he just nodded his head.

  Seeing how she was still looking annoyed, David fidgeted his hands, trying to find the words to say what he wanted to say. "S Sorry. Elise...no...angry...no." 

   Hearing his words, her face became soft so she still tried to look serious when she said: "It's 'don't be angry with me' not 'no angry'. And of course I'll get angry if you touch me without permission, but since you apologized, I shall be generous and forgive you." She averted her gaze away from his, a hint of red on her face.

"Thank you." He said, relieved. Trying to make the atmosphere more comfortable to her, she then asked, changing the subject: "anyway, were you enjoying the night sky?"

   "No. Wait." He replied. Though in curt words, but the light grey eyed girl understood what he meant. She always came in through the window so it was normal for him to expect her coming through it. "I can use doors too, you know." she said. When she noticed the confused look in his eyes she chuckled. The was actually locked so there was no way for anyone to go in without a key or a way to unlock the door. But she was no normal person. She was so skilled when it came to using her air  ZIHR that she could tronsform anything into wind, even people.  then she explained: " I came through the key hole. Smart, right?" He nodded in response.

    The clock which was situated right above David's room hit midnight, making the strikes sound uproarious for anyone, but for the little David, it was unbearable.  His hands instantly flew to his ears in a vain attempt to block the sounds. His eyes squeezed shut and his toes curled up in pain. Just then, the clock sound subdued noticeably and he felt a warm palm squeezing his hand, trying to pull them off his ears.

  He lifted his head up to look at the black haired girl standing in front of him. She was looking at him warmly and said: "it will end soon. Don't worry." He nodded at her consoling words and rested his forehead on her bosom, circling his arms around her waist in a hug.

  She wanted to pat his head, to hug back his trembling frame, but she had to keep her hands, or at least one hand, stretched up to keep the air barrier blocking the sounds up.  Her hands went down when the striking clock quietened and the barrier instantly faded.

"Are you alright? Your ears didn't bleed, did they?" she asked David worriedly. She heaved a sigh of relief when he shook his head in negation.

"It's midnight already. We have to go now if we want to see that." She said while walking toward the closet and grabbed a long black coat.

 "That?"

  "Something I want you to see, a very beautiful show. You have never been to a festival before right?" when he shook his head, she said excitedly: "Then look forward to it!"

   Giving him the coat, she noticed he didn't wear boots on his feet making her frown slightly.

  "Where are your boots? The ones I gifted you." She asked him. at her question, David's already pale complexion became even paler.

 He recalls when the madam of the estate, his step mother, came to pay him a visit. It was two days ago, when she came and saw accidentally_ as she made it seem to be_ the black boots that Elise has gifted him. She seized them, saying that he stole them from her son Alexander, while actually, he and his younger brother don't even have the same foot size.

When he finally managed to say that it was a gift, she replied:

 "Would you look at yourself? Who would gift a freak like you? Even your father doesn't want you! The only reason why you are living in this abandoned tower is my mercy! So don't you ever think highly of yourself. You beast!"

   From that day, the door got locked under the duchess's orders to prevent him from stealing anything again. And as a punishment for his wrong deeds, his meals got cut to one meal a day only, until he learnt his lesson.  

  Not hearing an answer from him, Elisabeth thought he maybe lost it or tore it, so she moved her hands swiftly and black shadows began to move and shape a little boots the same size of David's feet. The boy's eyes sparkled seeing her use her ZHIR of Darkness. No matter how many times she used it in front of him; he will be amazed every time she does. 

   "Here we are! Shall we go?" she extended her arm and the instant he put his hand on hers, they evaporated into black vapour and flew out through the window.

  At the entrance of the city of Sameiry, the biggest and liveliest of all the cities in the lands of the south, a boy and a little girl apparated. They walked through the streets towards the Grand-Plaza were the festivities are held. Astonishment was evident on David's face. He has never seen such a big place with so much people.

  When they were near the Sameiry-Centre were the Grand-Plaza is, they could hear music and people's talking and laughing became higher. Elizabeth turned around sensing David absence, and found him some feet behind her.

  "What is it?" she asked him when she got to where he was standing idle.

   "Loud." He uttered, clearly not comfortable with the high music and loud noises. He was still frowning, annoyed, when he saw Elisabeth search for something in her pocket.

  "Here, use this." She extended her hand holding to pieces made of wool.

   "This?"He asked looking at the pieces intensely. "Earplugs, I made them myself. Put them in your ears and it will subdue some sounds, of course not completely, but it will help."

   He put them in, and with a slightly red ears, he mumbled a thank you that went unheard because of the noises. They continued walking and they finally got there. There were a lot of people, some singing, some dancing, some eating, and some playing public games. There were a lot of shops and merchants with various goods.